Methods and systems for receiving signals via a multi-port distributed antenna are disclosed and may include selectively enabling one or more low noise amplifiers (LNAs) coupled to the antenna. The selective enabling may be based on a desired gain level applied to a signal received from the antenna. The LNAs may be coupled to ports on the antenna based on an input impedance of the LNAs and an impedance of the ports. Each of the LNAs may be configured for optimum linearity in different gain ranges, which may be proportional to the input impedance of the LNAs. The antenna may be integrated on a chip with the LNAs, or may be located external to the chip. The antenna may include a microstrip antenna. The LNAs may include variable gain and may be enabled utilizing a processor. Linearity on demand may be enabled via the selective enabling of the LNAs.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A wireless device for wireless communication, said wireless device comprising: a distributed antenna having a plurality of antenna ports; a plurality of amplifiers, each coupled to one of said plurality of antenna ports and configured to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal received from said distributed antenna; and a processor configured to enable one or more of said plurality of amplifiers based on a desired gain level to be applied to said RF signal.
2. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein said distributed antenna comprises a microstrip antenna.
3. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein said distributed antenna comprises a coplanar waveguide antenna.
4. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of amplifiers has a variable gain.
5. The wireless device of claim 4 , wherein said processor is configured to control said variable gain of each of said plurality of amplifiers.
6. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of amplifiers is coupled to one of said plurality of antenna ports based on an input impedance of each of said plurality of amplifiers and an impedance of each of said plurality of antenna ports.
7. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of amplifiers further comprises a switch to enable decoupling of one or more of said plurality of amplifiers from said plurality of antenna ports.
8. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein said switch comprises a CMOS transistor.
9. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein said distributed antenna and said plurality of amplifiers are integrated on a chip.
10. The wireless device of claim 1 , further comprising an RF circuit coupled to said plurality of amplifiers and configured to receive said RF signal amplified by said plurality of amplifiers.
11. A method for wireless communication in a wireless device comprising a plurality of amplifiers, each coupled to one of a plurality of antenna ports of a distributed antenna, said method comprising: utilizing a processor of said wireless device to enable one or more of said plurality of amplifiers, wherein each of said plurality of amplifiers is configured to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal received from said distributed antenna; receiving said radio frequency (RF) signal from said distributed antenna over one or more paths through said one or more of said plurality of amplifiers.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein said one or more of said plurality of amplifiers are enabled based on a desired gain level to be applied to said RF signal received from said distributed antenna.
13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising utilizing said processor to control a variable gain of each of said one or more of said plurality of amplifiers.
14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising utilizing said processor to decouple another one or more of said plurality of amplifiers from said distributed antenna.
15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising utilizing a plurality of switches, each coupled to one of said plurality of amplifiers, to decouple another one or more of the plurality of amplifiers from said distributed antenna.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein said plurality of switches comprise CMOS transistors.
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein said distributed antenna comprises a microstrip antenna.
18. The method of claim 11 , wherein said distributed antenna comprises a coplanar waveguide antenna.
19. The method of claim 11 , wherein each of said plurality of amplifiers is coupled to one of said plurality of antenna ports based on an input impedance of each of said plurality of amplifiers and an impedance of each of said plurality of antenna ports.
20. The method of claim 11 , wherein said distributed antenna and said plurality of amplifiers are integrated on a chip.
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March 3, 2009
July 10, 2012
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